In this episode of Portfolio Perspective: Managing Risk & Seizing Opportunity, host Andrew Pace welcomes Kip Amstutz, President of 360 Equipment Finance. From launching his first business with a promissory note from his father to building a nationwide finance company with a disciplined approach to subprime lending, Kip shares the real-world strategies that have shaped his success. They explore portfolio diversification, AI-driven automation, strategic use of third-party originators, and what it means to scale responsibly in a volatile market.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Kip’s entrepreneurial start and the founding story of 360 Equipment Finance
• Transitioning from originator to full-service finance company
• Portfolio diversification across 47 states and multiple verticals
• Strategic use of third-party originators for scale and geographic diversity
• Subprime risk management and credit-conscious underwriting
• How AI and automation are reshaping fraud detection, data entry, and credit decisioning
• Why company culture, EOS, and hiring for complementary skillsets drive growth
• Capital access, lender trust, and transparent communication
• What’s ahead for 2026: AI, BI dashboards, and marketing-driven growth

Notable Takeaways:

“You can’t hold anything if you can’t fund it. We’ve learned to hold the subprime—and sell off the prime—because that’s where we can use our capital to its fullest.”

“Hiring people who think differently than you do? That’s where the magic happens. It’s how we’ve scaled while staying lean.”

“AI isn’t just about speed—it’s about precision. And it only works if it complements the human experience.”

Subscribe to Portfolio Perspective: Managing Risk & Seizing Opportunity for more industry insights and field-tested strategies.

For more information, visit Asset Compliant Solutions.

In this episode of Portfolio Perspective: Managing Risk & Seizing Opportunity, Andrew Pace sits down with Rob Ceribelli of Channel to unpack what it takes to scale a financial services company—from leading through a private equity exit to building out infrastructure that supports sustainable growth. Rob shares candid insights into strategic leadership, risk modeling, portfolio expansion, and how his team is preparing for the future of alternative finance.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Lessons from Channel’s acquisition by Onset Financial
• Maintaining employee trust and culture during major transitions
• How to structure teams and invest in middle management to scale
• The role of operational excellence and technology in high-growth environments
• Expanding into working capital: benefits and risks
• Building proprietary credit models vs relying on industry data
• Balancing risk tiers through precision-based pricing
• Digital innovation, AI, and future growth priorities

Notable Takeaways:

“We’re small-ticket and Onset is large-ticket—so the fit was natural. But what made it work was the cultural alignment and open communication.”

“Sometimes your systems or team structures are fine…until they’re not. We watch for what’s humming, what’s smoking, and what’s on fire.”

“We don’t outsource our credit models—we built them from the ground up using 16 years of data. That’s how you take smarter risk and grow with confidence.”

Subscribe to Portfolio Perspective: Managing Risk & Seizing Opportunity for more industry insights and field-tested strategies.

For more information, visit Asset Compliant Solutions.

In this episode of Portfolio Perspective, Andrew Pace welcomes Jim Ryan, Sales Manager at Sandhills Global, to unpack the current realities of equipment valuation, auction trends, and retail-first remarketing strategies. With oversight of all auction products and financial customer relationships at Sandhills, Jim brings an unmatched view into market cycles, recovery tactics, and the role of AI and data in driving smarter decisions.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Equipment valuation trends post-COVID and sector-specific volatility
• Inventory gluts in agriculture vs. normalization in transportation and construction
• How auction values signal real-time market conditions
• Strategic retail-first recovery paths that deliver 20%+ lift over auction
• Lender timelines: Why delay is costing you money
• Transportation finance: Opportunities for cautious re-entry
• The role of AI in matching buyers and accelerating time-to-sale
• Print vs. digital: Surprising data on buyer engagement

Notable Takeaways:

“If you have 10 assets and you retail 5 before auction, it boosts your bottom line. Why wouldn’t you?”

“We’re seeing a sweet spot—about 15–20% over auction value—for fast retail transactions right now.”

“Print is not dead for us. The more we print, the more web activity we get. It's our digital search engine.”

Subscribe to Portfolio Perspective: Managing Risk & Seizing Opportunity for more industry insights and field-tested strategies.

For more information, visit Asset Compliant Solutions.